The Bishop of Lagos, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. Ifedola Gabriel Okupevi, has expressed concern over the ravaging effect of poverty, unemployment and inequality in the land.
He, consequently clamoured for the role of the Church to salvage its members as well as its communities during what was tagged ‘Nehemiah Summit’, an event organised as a Pre-Synod interactive session with the theme: “Tackling poverty, inequality, unemployment – The Role of the Church which took place at All Souls Church, Lekki.
In his keynote/welcome address, Okupevi lamented forces working against the government whose formation and sole responsibility was to tackle the menace and completely nib in the bud, poverty, inequality and unemployment that have plagued the country which are of course inimical to normal standard life.
“Today is a beautiful day, a joyful day, a glorious day, a day to come together and think about our nation, what we are going to do, how to ameliorate or completely put to silence the plague of poverty so that the present generation, the coming generations may live a convenient and prosperous life. May God bless us and may we all be blessed in the name of Jesus Christ.
“Therefore, as we gather to reflect on, and strategize ways to confront the pertinent issues of poverty, inequality, and unemployment, it is crucial that we recognize the indelible role of the church in fostering change and impacting our communities for the better.
“Nehemiah, a man of action, called upon his people to rise up and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Today we are being called in the same vein, to rebuild the social and economic structures of our developed society. I think today tackling poverty, inequality, and unemployment, the role of the Church serves as both a challenge and an invitation for us to embrace a divine mandate in effectively addressing these pressing issues,” he said.
Okupevi expressed worry about the poverty across Nigeria as millions continue to live below the poverty line, struggling to secure the basic necessities of life.
He further remarked that economic deprivation is intertwined with inequality, where wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few, while the vast majority grapple with scarcity and lack which not only brings economic despair but also social unrest, resulting in a cycle that perpetuates suffering and disenfranchisement.
The bishop described unemployment as a challenge creating a generational void of opportunities and disenfranchisement to have a better tomorrow which has also contributed to the dwindling finances in the Church even in Lagos.
